Cinching my Waist...

Subject: Cinching my Waist... Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:50 pm

I have a generous waist.

Well, if your bust is big, it's calle d"generous" in a positive way, isn't it? ;-)

So... I don't really go in much in the middle.

So... I've bought a kit with all the bits and fabric and pattern to make an historically-accurate 1830s corset. Those are NOT the defomring one sof the late 19th century - this is like a 40s cinch-belt that goes up to just above the bra-strap that goes round your body, thus supporting the bust, about the level of a half-cup bra, and comes down nearly to the hips. It is not supposed to be tight at bust and hips, only at waist. It is in black 'Duchesse' satin, which is very luscious and heavy, and does up down the front with 7 hooks and eyes on a metal busk-strip, hidden by fabric, and you tighten it by the back-lacing: you lace from the top to the middle and leave the ends dangling at the middle, then you lace up from the bottom and have four ends that you can then haul in a bit to make it a little more snug. Or cause swooning fits if you're masochistic... ;-)
1940s cinch-belts don't work as I just bulge out over the top and below the lower edge which is a singularly hideous look!

I've got it cut out and pinned together and have checked all the bits of bendy steel - it's not scary, it's ever so bendy and flexible.

I'll keep you posted on progress - I am really hoping that it will mean I can wear prettier dresses, because with no waist and a pot-belly, most dresses, especially waist-emphasising vintage ones, look awful! So if it works, I'll be looking at patterns for that polka-dot 50s-style halterneck!!!

Besides, now I've told you all, I have to keep on at it, and can't just do half and put it to one side...

laura

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:25 am

Laura.....I haven't the figure (yet!!...I'm working on it...plenty of pounds to lose yet though)....but I think what you describe is my absolute favourite choice of dress. I'm not sure about the corset thing...but it does sound more comfortable than some. I'll be watching this topic to see how you get on with your construction/sewing project...and maybe piccies of the finished result?.....please.

Jacquie x
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Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:15 am

I'll try to post some pics when it's done!

The idea is that it won't feel any more restrictive than a swimsuit really - made to fit me, rather than deforming me to fit it!
But it should just smooth out my lumps and bumps and bulges into curves... after all, wearing ordinary undies means I've got elastic at my waistline which surely has to be the worst place to put it: a tighter line that's very thin, in the most squishy part of my body... er, no thanks! ;-)
So a smoothed-out set of curves is what should result - not quite the Dita von Teese but I hope it will look good!

laura

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:29 am

I love those kind of dress's but honestly, I hardly wear dress's or skirts. Last time I wore a dress was a long black evening dress which I wore for the camera club christmas dinner (it was quite a formal affair), I live in jeans, my mother in law is always telling me to wear a skirt or dress, but because I am not used to them, I feel strange wearing them, plus John said he prefers me in jeans, because my bum looks nice in them, so that is very flattering, so I have no qualms about wearing jeans if my hubby likes my bum in them. I sometimes wish though, especially in the summer months, that I could bring myself to wear a nice flowy dress, but I cant, never mind.

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:56 am

Muffin top, big bum, generous hips, wobbly thighs, generous bosum. Funny, all that was once called Rubenesque. Women like Kate Moss couldn't do better than getting work as the paint brush in those days. Even screen beauties like Marilyn Monroe look "fat" by today's ludicrous standards.

I subscribe to two theories on body image; one is the Frenchwoman's view which is "bien sur ma peau" ie: being comfortable in my own skin. The second is the Gok Wan "How To Look Good Naked" philosophy; don't wait! Work with what you have now. And good quality, proper fitting underwear is essential. Especially if your over a B cup in a bra and/or life has decided your hips/bum/thighs is a great place to settle down. *me! me,! me!*

The corsets sound fun Laura, but I don't think I could ever get used to them.
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Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:55 pm

I wear skirts because I have bigger hips than my very short waist and it ends up looking odd on me to wear a dress.

But I can't wait to see what you end up with. It sounds very nice!

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:48 pm

I used to love wearing skirts and dresses but since I'm still trying to lose the baby fat..(the baby is 24) I really don't care to.
I'm interested as well Laura in your progress of making your corset. I have a post on my blog that fits this subject matter...no pun intended.

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:41 pm

Wow.

No, seriously, I mean... Wow...

Sitting here with a massive grin and just about to go out for no particular reason down my local high street simply because I feel soooo shapely!!!!

I don't have pix yet, but... it just smoothes everything out, and I've got a WAIST for the first time in... ummm... ages! I don't look thinner because it's not laced that tight, but I look... more Marilyn Monroe curvy than usual!

I'm wearing it under my normal clothes and it looks fine. And it was tons easier to make than I expected. Just taking it slowly because I'm lousy at following patterns, takign it slowly and steadily and not doing it when I was tired...

Wheeeee, got a waist!!!!!!

I've got vacuuming and laundry and some other housekeeping to do today so I'll let you know how it gets on - I think all that will happen is that my posture will improve, since I can still bend in every direction except forward-at-the-waist which is what we aren't supposed to do anyway! I just carried in a big sack of slate-chippings and the corset was fine...

It will look gorgeous for going out in, with a full skirt and a delicate lacy top under it - but what I really wanted it for was as underwear under my everyday clothes - now I don't bulge horrible and don't slump!

The kit with pattern, fabric and ALL the bits except sewing threads, was 41 or 42 pounds in December. Including postage in the UK.

laura

laura

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:26 pm

Where did you get this kit? I would love to make a corset.
-Josie

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:37 pm

A website called Vena Cava... which is a bit alarming since that's an anatomical term for a bit of the heart ;-)

http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/Products/browse/cat/Kits.html

I got the Kit with Satin Fabric in Black. £34.60 + postage, which would be £5.65 in Europe, but it says they do deliver to the rest of the World.

It was so much easier than I expected! And it's really comfortable - I cycled to the shops earlier with no problem even on the hills; unless laced really tightly it just holds me snugly - and it's not like the deforming 1890s nightmares, just a smoother...!

laura

Subject: Re: Cinching my Waist... Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:38 pm

In fact, I don't think I've EVER worn underpinnings that were this comfortable... far comfier than a bra, or a basque or support pants or any of those things meant to give me a smooth shape and a defined bust, waist and hips!

Oh and no problem getting into it - it laces at the back and you lace it so it's fixed at top and bottom with two loooong loops in the middle; loosen the laces and put it on, doing it up with the hooks and eyes at the front, on the busk, then reach round and pull the loops, tightening it only in the waist, so it isn't constricting (or meant to be) in hips or bust, but just smooths everything... I'm in love with it!!!!

Think my boyfriend may like it too ;-)

laura